Knifemaker Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Finally finished the 1969 Bridgestone...Just a few finishing touches needed before the Ride Into History show nest weekend. This is not a complete set of picures of the bike but I hope you enjoy them. A little history of the bike before the pics in case you are not familiar with the 1969 RS. True name: Bridgestone 200 Mach II RS. This bike was released by Bridgestone Motors (yes...the tire people) in 1969. The 69 RS holds 2 land speed records at Bonneville for a 200 cc 2 stroke motorcycle. The motor is a rotary valve motor with selectable 4/5 speed transmission and if you can't see the carbs they are inside the engine cases... A couple of before shots... After Shots: The serial number on this bike is number 59 and I am now the second proud owner....
ltljohn Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 SWEET! Do you have a ballpark number on how many hours you put into that little beauty?
Knifemaker Posted May 7, 2009 Author Posted May 7, 2009 Hard to say because since January I have be putting in apx. 4 hours a day for 7 says a week building the 69 Bridgestone and the 74 Yamaha DT250.
Knifemaker Posted May 7, 2009 Author Posted May 7, 2009 The bikes that I am putting in the Riding Into History show this year...... All bikes restored by yours truely... 1974 Yamaha DT250 restored 2009 1965 Honda 150 Benly Dream restored 2008 1969 Bridgestone 200 Mach II RS resored 2009 1986 Moto Guzzi California II 1000 restored 2007 The Moto Guzzi will be less sidecar this year
Kathy R Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 The before almost made me cry. Nice work! I wish we could hear each of them work.
Bullett Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Thanks Bill, I love seeing these old bikes looking the way they should. The Bridgestone is beautiful. I can't wait to see what you restore next.
roadscholar Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Bill, Nice work on both those, look forward to seeing them in person. The Yamaha is a favorite, I had an early seventies 360 (RT 1) back in the day, truly a great motorcycle. btw, there happens to be an old Guzzi (V7S) in your 'hood that the owner is probably never going to get around to restoring, hmmm.....
russell_bynum Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Neat! +1 That's just way too cool. Excellent work!
mikeR1100R Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Beautiful job on the Bridgestone! All the bikes look great. I owned a 1966 Honda 150 many years ago. Didn't look as nice as yours.
Knifemaker Posted May 7, 2009 Author Posted May 7, 2009 I can't wait to see what you restore next. Donations GLADLY accepted....
Knifemaker Posted May 7, 2009 Author Posted May 7, 2009 BS job For that Danny....you owe me a coke at RIH
Huzband Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 BS job For that Danny....you owe me a coke at RIH For catching it, I'll even buy you lunch to go with that Coke.
Bill_Walker Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 I can only wish I had the patience, determination and skill to do what you've done! Gorgeous work.
BFG Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Wow! Nice work. I've got my brothers 1969 Honda Super 90 tucked away in a barn in similar "before" condition. Thanks for the inspiration!
Knifemaker Posted May 8, 2009 Author Posted May 8, 2009 btw, there happens to be an old Guzzi (V7S) in your 'hood that the owner is probably never going to get around to restoring, hmmm..... Most of my restoration bikes came to me real cheep...the Bridgestone was FREE... just had to go to Atlanta to pick it up....I told you donations GLADLY accepted... With todays economics and also keeping my wife happy I can not afford to go after high end bikes like yours or bikes that after repairs, parts, paint and other items the cost is more than the bike is worth. I never even consider time and labor costs on these bikes.... The cost of re-chroming a gas cap is upwards of $50.00 and a skinny front fender chrome job is over $300.00... I sent the full set of Bridgestone before and after pictures to the man who gave me the bike last night and he called me after he got the pictures and told me that that was the best gift he could have given (the bike) or recieved (the pictures) when he saw his old bike back in it's full glory.... This why I do the restorations...Because if the bike has survived this long it has a heart and deserves it...Also the waves of emotion and true love of motocycling and the motorcycle that people experience when they can look back and remember.... People....enjoy your motorcycles but don't forget the old fellows and ladies in your garage after all they gave you the love to start with....Restore them or pass the along to folks who will... so the next time you see one the "ole spark" is still there....
BFish Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 just caught this thread, bill. you have a gift. these machines are truly eye candy and restored beautifully. congrats and have fun at RIH.
Knifemaker Posted May 8, 2009 Author Posted May 8, 2009 How does the Bridgestone ride? Scary fast and quick....
roadscholar Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 Calm down, I got it so long ago it was almost free.
Huzband Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 This why I do the restorations...Because if the bike has survived this long it has a heart and deserves it...Also the waves of emotion and true love of motocycling and the motorcycle that people experience when they can look back and remember.... And that, sir, is why you're so good at it. You GET it! It's not just a machine, it's a life.
Knifemaker Posted May 8, 2009 Author Posted May 8, 2009 And that, sir, is why you're so good at it. You GET it! It's not just a machine, it's a life. Daggone it Danny....That was so nice....Now I owe you lunch....
sardineone Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 Nice work Bill. I stumbled upon a group of very well preserved Bridgestones at the Barber Vintage Weekend in 06'. Yours would have looked good in the mix. The tent was set up by a group out of Leeds, Alabama I believe.
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